Cross Training (Now there's a double meaning!)
Cross Training in sports physiology is the idea that exercising across multiple disciplines increases capacity. Like a football player doing ballet- it improves their agility for football.
Seems Jesus had that same idea. We seek to love God and our neighbor with body, heart, mind AND spirit- all working together, increasing the capacity of each.
This is about developing and maintaining
physical, emotional, mental and spiritual
strength and resilience.
What does that look like? First the parts, and then the integration.
The Incarnation fully sanctifies our bodies. But the Tradition has been a bit ambivalent, and denying the body through ascetic practices was the ideal for quite awhile.
We understand better now, how all four dimensions inter-relate, and how crucial bodily health is to our wholeness, and how it impacts our other dimensions- and visa versa.
For instance, our respiratory system is has more dimensions that just the mechanics of oxegen exchange. . The creation story in Genesis tells us that the breath we breath is the breath of God. It is the spirit that enlivens our whole being.
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 KJV
Intentionally aware deep breathing, several times a day, is a basic practice that empowers our whole being. We breath in the breath of God, and we breath out, returning the spent energy to the Source of our life.
We breath deeply and flex our muscles. If we're going to love God with all our strength, and serve our neighbors- muscle are what we do it with.
Strength Training becomes a necessary focus- especially as we age-as we loose muscle. You don't need weights- isometrics works for this- as does chopping wood, and other physical labor.And the cool thing is, it combats aging.
And our hearts need cardio- they just do!
Breath, Flex, Run (in some form).
And great news here- physical actions can chnage our thoughts (more on that below).
This is the metaphorical center of our emotional/relational life. But the Hebrew tradition also saw the heart as the seat of the will. And that makes sense, doesn't it. We will what we desire -and just MAYBE we can desire what we will.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ----Matt. 6:21 KJV
In the Christian Tradition, one exploration of this dimension has been through the devotional practices called the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They are about increasing the capacity to love like Christ loved.
More than just "Brain"
In the Christian tradition it is also seeking to put on the mind of Christ. The word is "kenosis" in Greek. This is the OTHER meaning of "Cross" Training -
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phil 2: 4-7 KJV
How do you come to be able to look after the needs of others?
Growth of the mind is the ability to take on more perspectives, moving from 1st person "I", to 2nd person "WE"; to 3rd person "You."
Our current political process desperately need some "we-ness". At the same time the number of "you"s out there are only limited by your internet connection.
Here's a neat trick: Want to change your mind? DO something different.
Sad? Fake a smile - in front of others! Too pre-occupied with your own concerns? Help someone else out.
Suspicious of other people? Get to know them.
That part of us which comes from God and returns to God.
Deep prayer is the number one practice that expands our spirit. One of the Christian methods is Fr. Thomas Keating's Centering Prayer.
WORKING IT ALL TOGETHER...
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